Fort Stevens

Fort Stevens in Washington, DC, was the site of a battle in July 1864 where President Lincoln was shot at by Confederate soldiers.

Lincoln's struggle for re-election suffered an embarrassing moment on July 12, 1864, when a Confederate force led by Jubal Early entered the District of Columbia. The Confederate raid's goal wasn't the capture of Washington, but instead to shake and undermine Northern morale in the war. The resulting Battle of Fort Stevens was an easy Union victory, but the mere thought of Confederate forces penetrating into the capital soured the Northern mood.

Adding to the embarrassment, President Lincoln attended the battle and stood atop a parapet at the fort. Confederate gunfire whizzed by the President as Union soldiers reportedly yelled at the President to "Get down, you damn fool!"